Exploding into the season with an impressive 36-8 win over the Mt. Vernon / Plankinton Titans (MVP), the Blackhawks solidly entered the first week of 11B football at home in Wessington Springs at Spartan Stadium.
“We had a good summer and we hit three different camps. The weeks leading up to the first game I was telling my family we haven’t had a bad practice yet. And our first game was pretty solid,” said Blackhawks Head Coach Kenny Huether. “This team, skill-wise can rival most any team in class 11B. We’ve got play makers. How good we become comes down to how tough we will become and we’ve got some work to do there yet. At the same time, there were moments of good toughness against Mt. Vernon/Plank Friday night.”
Huether points out that in addition to skill, the Blackhawks are working on their physicality as a team.
“If we become a physical football team to go with our skill, we will end up being one of the better teams in state,” he explained. “MVP is a terrific program, most years they are a top program in state. So for us to not only get a win, but to do it in a somewhat convincing fashion, that’s a positive sign.” Looking to this Friday as the Blackhawks host Scotland / Menno, again in Wessington Springs, he points out that the Blackhawks will need to use their skill set against the Jim River Trappers’ size.
“Jim River is going to come in and they are really big up front with their linemen. We have an advantage with our skill kids — our quarterbacks, running backs and receivers. I hope we have advantages with speed and we will use that to try and run to the outside instead of running right at them,” Coach Huether stated, while adding that solid passing is one of the strengths of the Blackhawks. “Our passing attack is going to be one of the better passing in the state.”
Coach Huether said he is excited about the season and the hard work the 43-man roster has put in so far.
“We have the chance to become a great team — hard work and toughness are going to determine how far we go. It’s been a few years and I’ve coached some state championship teams,” he said. “I’m not putting us in that category just yet, but this team has a chance to be one of those teams. The journey will be fun to find out where we get to.”